The salary range for this position is $33.80 - $45.00 per hour depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

The job posting for this position is scheduled to close on 4/8/2026 at 4:00pm (PST).

This position is filled on an on-call, as-needed basis with no set schedule or guaranteed number of hours.

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming.  KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego.  Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience.  It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

Perks you'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.
• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by position)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Employee assistance program
• Voluntary retirement savings plan

Under the supervision of the Managing Editor and/or News Director, the Freelance News Editor coaches, guides and directs a team of reporters on both daily and long-term assignments. This role manages, edits, assigns and reviews day-to-day news coverage across radio, TV, and digital platforms, and coordinates coverage needs with the Senior Producers. With support and oversight from the Managing Editor and/or News Director, the Freelance News Editor also provides input and assistance on projects under their purview.

The Freelance News Editor is responsible for ensuring that coverage prioritizes accountability reporting, people-centered storytelling, and a mix of thought-provoking stories and explainers that broaden audience understanding. KPBS is committed to delivering high-quality, in-depth local news and analysis across all platforms. The mission of the news division is to provide fair, accurate reporting on the people and issues that matter to the San Diego and Imperial County communities. This position plays a critical role in advancing this mission by supervising reporters and elevating the quality of their stories.

The Freelance News Editor is responsible for but not limited to:

Leadership & Supervision (50%)

• Work with reporters to develop story ideas that cover issues with major impact in our audience member’s lives, including people-centered stories, lively explainers that dissect the WHY or HOW behind the news or a trend, and breaking news.
• Coach, guide, and direct reporters and engage in regular air checks and feedback sessions. 
• Ensure writing is focused, conversational, and accurate.
• Ensure that reporter beat memos are up to date (weekly) and that coverage plans are reviewed.
• Reinforce the importance of beat mission statements that clearly explain the purpose and focus of each reporter’s coverage, helping build a transparent and trusting relationship with KPBS audiences.
• Encourage pitches, provide guidance to refine them, and carefully select ones that best align with the KPBS news mission. 
• Maintain ongoing and collaborative relationships with various KPBS department leaders and the local community.
• Contribute to daily news meetings and ensure KPBS is covering the top stories in San Diego and Imperial counties daily. May be required to lead meetings in the absence of the News Director and/or Managing Editor, as assigned.

• Attend scheduled newsroom and KPBS meetings, and represent the station at various events, as required.

• Coach reporters to write using a conversational style in their own voices for broadcast stories, and apply appropriate techniques for online audiences.

• In collaboration with News management, ensure on-air and digital news is timely, fair, and accurate, and strive for excellence on all platforms. 
• Plan effective workflows and assign responsibilities strategically to meet or exceed goals established by the Managing Editor and/or News Director. 
• Ensure consistent, high-quality coverage of assigned beats and key issues; be proactive in coordinating resources and coverage plans, including during breaking news situations and reporter absences.

Editing (30%)

• Ensure reporters meet daily story deadlines and proactively communicate with Senior Producers when deadlines are at risk, enabling timely support, adjustments, or reassignment as needed.
• Play a crucial role in quality control by reviewing and coaching reporters to make  script improvements such as ensuring appropriate context, using the most accurate language, clearly explaining what’s at stake, and checking audio and video for accuracy and comprehension.
• Ensure scripts appropriately complement video and audio.
• Ensure audio files meet KPBS standards by creating audio-rich radio stories and verifying that all introductions are current and broadcast-ready.
• Provide written instructions when out of office, including reporter assignments and news updates with applicable links to digital information. 
• In partnership with the Senior News Producers and the Digital Editor, the News Editor prioritizes a multimedia approach to all stories for all local content.
• Assign and edit work that periodically falls on weekends and evenings and as news coverage requires.
• Serve as the back-up for other Editors when needed.

Administration (15%):  

• Make recommendations to the Managing Editor and/or News Director on staffing and equipment.
• Maintain news planning documents, upcoming news pegs, and air/release dates of station news stories.
• Update key internal planning documents and rundowns with plans and timing for reporter stories.
• Keep the Managing Editor and/or News Director informed of errors, required story corrections, and important audience feedback.
• May pitch stories to partners such as NPR, the PBS NewsHour, and California Hub of stations.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)

• Participate in on-air fundraising as needed.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities 

• Demonstrated experience in editing or reporting stories with impact. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of current events and issues. 
• Knowledge and understanding of journalistic standards and practices and the editorial/technical/logistical  processes required to create multimedia content.  
• Ability to be highly organized and handle competing priorities within tight deadlines
• Demonstrated record of transferable skills and capacity to successfully lead, motivate and assign a team of reporters that uphold the organization’s mission and values in driving multi-platform stories. 
• Demonstrated skills of people management and mentoring.  
• Demonstrated ability to work in an often fast-paced newsroom environment with changing  deadlines and priorities.  
• Ability to effectively assign and implement news agenda while ensuring KPBS’ focus remains on the most important topics of the day.  
• Ability to work well independently and make good decisions under deadline. 
• Ability to effectively prioritize projects and coordinate a variety of tasks and deadlines on a daily basis.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and delegate workflow according to current and changing needs.
• Ability to utilize and be guided by the KPBS mission statement and strategic plan.

Minimum Experience 

• Four-years of related experience; two of which in a progressively responsible supervisory or management role.
  
  

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, or additional experience in a newsroom may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Experience in journalism in a comparable position as an assignment editor, producer or line editor
• Demonstrated experience in broadcast and digital writing and editing.
• Experience in a progressively responsible leadership role, including supervision of teams of two or more.
• Broad knowledge of San Diego, regional, state, national, and international news to provide context and depth to local reporting.  
• Experience in public media.
• Proven ability in both short-term and long-term editorial planning.
• Spanish-language fluency
• Experience with digital audio and video editing, as well as social media production.
• Multimedia skills, including writing for the web and producing audio and video storytelling.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional growth and development.

Additional Applicant Information:

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.